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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Review: Colonization

Andromeda has spent all seventeen years of her life aboard a
deep space transport vessel destined for a paradise planet. Her safe cocoon is
about to break open as Paradise 21 looms only one month away, and she must take
the aptitude tests to determine her role on the new world and her computer
assigned lifemate. As a great-granddaughter of the Commander of the ship, she
wants to live up to her family name. But, her forbidden love for her childhood
friend, Sirius, distracts her and she fails the tests. The results place her in
a menial role in the new colony and pair her with Corvus, “the oaf”.

But when Andromeda steps foot on Paradise 21, her predestined future is the
least of her worries. Alien ghosts from a failed colonization warn her of a
deadly threat to her colony. And when Sirius’s ship crashes on the far ridge in
an attempt to investigate, she journeys to rescue him with Corvus.

Andromeda now must convince the authorities of the imminent danger to keep her
protect her new home. What she didn’t expect was a battle of her own feelings
for Sirius and Corvus.

Can she save the colony and discover her true love?

My Thoughts

I received an
eARC through the publishers, this in no way influenced my review.

Right
before she passes away Annie’s great-granny tells her, “Change is the only
constant in our lives. It shapes us as
much as it tears us down.” (Kindle Location 28)
Boy, was granny right. The New Dawn
has finally reached Paradise 21, before the descend upon the plant she takes
her final exams (this determines her job) and her lifemate is decided upon. She hopes that she assigned her best friend
Sirius as her lifemate. They are
attracted to each other but they avoid doing anything about it due to the
whole, computer picks their lifemate rule.
It does make sense- you want to make sure that their civilization will
continue to thrive and that no inbreeding happens. Arranged marriages though sometimes suck.

Let’s
be honest- I typically only read paranormal or contemporary YA novels. So, I was very unsure going into this
book. Will I like it? Will I be able to follow it? Will it take forever to read? I curled up into my reading chair with some
sweet tea a blanket and the Kindle Fire.

Holy
alien babies everywhere! This world is
beautifully written, Paradise 21 seemingly really a Paradise with the beautiful
plants and the fabulous water. Who would
not like to be on a beach?

The
emotional drama that Annie is put through, and she suffers it mostly in
silence. Wowzers. The tidal wave of emotions that Annie feels
from the very beginning with the death of her great-granny to the end will
leave some seasick but wow what great character development. You cannot help but feel bad for Annie and
yet at the same time wonder if computerization is the way to go when picking a
mate.

Corvus is, well, dang he
is just great y’all. He is
understanding, caring, and sweet. Who
else do you know would willingly help his girlfriend (lifemate) find her old
boyfriend (not really but you get the picture)?
The risks he takes for her is just well heartwarming. You end up verbally cheering for him.

Do you know the phrase “better
the devil that you know than the one that you do not.” This comes to mind when I view Annie’s and
Sirius’ relationship. They grew up
together. They know each other’s
secrets. They went on adventures
together. So, shouldn’t they be
together?

Sirius goes missing and
Annie is going after him, Lieutenant Crophaven wouldn’t listen to her. So really she has no other options. He got lost doing a favor for her. Corvus catches her leaving and leaves with
her. It is a race against time or wind
to get to Sirius. Will they make
it? What happens if they do? What if they don’t?

My Rating4 out of 5
stars

Other Characters

Nova- resident mean girl and Sirius’
lifemate match, the irony

Lieutenant Crophaven- He is one of the
highest ranking military men on the ship

Commander Barliss- Annie’s great-Grandpa,
he happens to command the ship